William Nathan Scott

William Nathan Scott, 87, a long time Bellevue resident, passed away peacefully at Pacific Regent in Bellevue on Thursday, January 20. Bill was raised in Madisonville, Kentucky, and earned his degree in architectural engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. Following service as a Naval Officer aboard the destroyer USS Watts during World War II in the Aleutian Islands and the Okinawa campaign, he married Evelyn Jean Hutchins in December of 1945. He was married to Jean for nearly 56 years until her untimely death in June of 2001. Bill and Jean loved to travel but they particularly loved their winters spent in Maui, Hawaii and summers spent on Hood Canal at residences they maintained in both places.

Bill also began a lifelong career in the construction industry following his Naval service and joined John H. Sellen Construction Company of Seattle in 1951. He rapidly rose to senior management and participated in the direction of the company through over 50 years of dynamic growth. Under his leadership the Sellen firm built much of the Seattle and Bellevue skylines as seen today. At his retirement in 1994 he was Chairman of the Board.

Bill was a national (life) director of the Associated General Contractors of America and was active throughout his career in the local AGC chapter, in which he served a term as President. In 1996 he was inducted into the Builders Hall of Fame at the University of Washington.

He was affiliated for over 50 years with St Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, where, during his service as Senior Warden, the present church configuration with transepts was created. An avid golfer, into his late 70's he was still golfing 5 to 6 days a week while spending winters in Maui. He was a founding member of and participated in the building of Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina where he served a term as President and was a member of the Board of Directors for many years. A stalwart Washington Husky football fan, he was a longtime season ticket holder and Tyee member and contributed significantly to University of Washington athletic and student athlete programs.

Bill is survived by his three children, William N. Scott, Jr. of Bellevue, Deborah Needham (David) of Orcas Island, Mary Catherine Davis of Cashmere and seven grandchildren. He also is survived by his brother, Ernest L. Scott. Friends are invited to a Celebration of Bill's Life to be held at Overlake Golf and Country Club at 2:00pm, Sunday, January 30th. A small family-only service will be held at St Thomas Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.